Carly Rose Sonenclar

Carly Rose Sonenclar Bio

Carly Rose Sonenclar (born April 20, 1999) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who first drew national attention as a Broadway child performer before becoming a familiar face to television audiences. Performing under the name Carly Rose, she built a career that bridges theatre, pop music, and television, and she is widely recognized as the runner-up of the second season of The X Factor USA in 2012. Her vocal ability has been praised by critics and judges alike, and she has performed at major venues and international events, including the 19th Maccabiah Games in Jerusalem. Since 2019, she has focused on releasing original material as an independent artist.

Born in Westchester, New York, Sonenclar is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Music. She is based in Los Angeles, California, and continues to write, record, and release music through her independent projects.

Early Life and Background

Carly Rose Sonenclar was born on April 20, 1999, in Westchester, New York. She grew up in a household that encouraged music from an early age, and she began singing at the age of two, often reenacting performances by singers featured on the early seasons of American Idol. Her family supported her interests in performing, and she soon took classes in singing, dancing, piano, and acting.

One of her early teachers connected her with a New York City talent agency, which signed her and helped open the door to professional opportunities. She attended Rye Neck High School in Mamaroneck, New York, and graduated in 2017. She went on to attend the University of Southern California, where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Music in the spring of 2021. Sonenclar has an older brother, Russell, who graduated from the University of Delaware in 2015. She is of Jewish heritage and has spoken about her family background in interviews.

Path to Music

Sonenclar’s path to music began in childhood, when her vocal talent was nurtured through years of private lessons and family support. Her first professional break came in 2006, when she was cast in a stage adaptation of The Night of the Hunter at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, where she played the lead role of Pearl. That same year, she made her Broadway debut as Young Cosette in Les Misérables, an early milestone that placed her among the youngest performers on a major Broadway stage.

Throughout her teenage years, she balanced her education with a growing list of stage and television credits, including the national tour of Little House on the Prairie, the Musical in 2009 and the role of Gilda Flip on the PBS series The Electric Company. Her vocal training and stage experience gave her the foundation to audition for a national music competition, and in 2012 she entered the second season of The X Factor USA. Her audition of the song “Feeling Good” earned a standing ovation from all four judges, and her run on the show brought her wide public recognition.

Carly Rose Sonenclar Career

Early Career (2006-2011)

Sonenclar began her professional career in 2006, working first at the New York Musical Theatre Festival and then on Broadway. In 2009, she appeared in the national tour of Little House on the Prairie, the Musical, originating the principal role of Carrie alongside star Melissa Gilbert. She also made her television debut on the PBS series The Electric Company, joining the cast as Gilda Flip in the show’s third season.

In 2011, she originated the role of Chloe in the Broadway musical Wonderland and earlier appeared in its Tampa workshop. Critics responded strongly to her performance, with The New York Times theater critic Charles Isherwood describing her as a good actress and an “almost preternaturally skilled singer,” and noting comparisons with Broadway star Sutton Foster. That same year, she was named the 2011 Best Young Performer by BroadwayWorld and originated the lead role of Parsley in the musical The Big Bank at the New York Musical Theater Festival in October 2011. She also recorded a featured solo for the Wonderland cast album produced by Sony Masterworks.

Breakthrough (2012)

The year 2012 marked Sonenclar’s breakthrough to a national audience when she auditioned for the second season of The X Factor USA. Her performance of “Feeling Good” drew a standing ovation from judges L.A. Reid, Simon Cowell, Britney Spears, and Demi Lovato. Cowell famously awarded her “4,833 yeses,” while Reid remarked that “You may be 13, but your soul is old!” She advanced through boot camp and was selected for the “Teens” category, mentored by Britney Spears with guest judge will.i.am.

During the live shows, Sonenclar delivered a series of strong performances, including “Good Feeling,” “It Will Rain,” and “My Heart Will Go On,” in which she finished second in the public vote behind Tate Stevens. Her rendition of “Over the Rainbow” on November 21 earned another standing ovation and helped her overtake Stevens in the public vote. After performing “Rolling in the Deep” and later dueting with LeAnn Rimes on “How Do I Live” in the finale, she finished the competition in second place on December 20, 2012.

2013-Present: Independent Music and Continued Performance

Following The X Factor, Sonenclar continued to develop as an independent artist. In June 2013, she performed her debut original song “Unforgettable,” along with another track titled “Fighters.” In July 2013, she performed at the opening ceremony of the 19th Maccabiah Games at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, and in August 2013 she appeared at the Best Buy Theater in Times Square as part of the Stand Up for a Cure 2013 Concert Series. She also guest-starred in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit titled “Dissonant Voices,” which aired in November 2013.

In 2014, she released the original music video “Everybody’s Watching” and gave a concert at Provident Bank Park in Pomona, New York, where she performed original songs including “Aliens,” “Weekend,” and “Everybody’s Watching.” On June 19, 2019, she released her debut single, “Birds & Bees,” and later issued a seven-song EP titled Wild, which included a collaboration with singer Goody Grace. In 2022, she re-recorded her cover of Karmin’s “Brokenhearted,” a song she had first performed at The X Factor’s Judges’ Houses ten years earlier.

Notable Works and Milestones

Sonenclar’s signature works include her debut single “Birds & Bees” (2019), the EP Wild, and the original song “Unforgettable” (2013). Her appearance on The X Factor USA in 2012 remains the defining moment of her public career, and her 2011 BroadwayWorld Best Young Performer award recognized her early theatrical accomplishments. She is also noted for her Broadway debut as Young Cosette in Les Misérables and her role in the musical Wonderland.

Carly Rose Sonenclar Award Nominations

Carly Rose Sonenclar has received recognition for her vocal and theatrical work across stage and television. Her televised run on the second season of The X Factor USA in 2012 brought her to a national audience and positioned her among the most notable young vocalists of that competition cycle.

Carly Rose Sonenclar Awards Won

Sonenclar was named the 2011 Best Young Performer by BroadwayWorld, an award recognizing her standout turn as Chloe in the Broadway musical Wonderland. The honor underscored the strong critical reception she received during the production’s run.

Carly Rose Sonenclar Family

Carly Rose Sonenclar grew up in a supportive family in Westchester, New York, where her early interest in singing and performance was encouraged from the age of two. She has an older brother, Russell Sonenclar, who graduated from the University of Delaware in 2015. Her family has been described as central to her early development as a performer, with teachers and relatives helping to connect her with a New York City talent agency that launched her professional career.

Personal Life

Sonenclar resides in Los Angeles, California, and has been based there as she developed her independent music career. She is Jewish and has spoken about her faith and family background in interviews. Outside of music, she enjoys softball and continues to play piano, a skill she has practiced since childhood.